To ask Her Majesty's Government what investigations have been carried out on members of the Iraq war inquiry to ensure their impartiality. [HL4838]

I refer the noble Baroness to the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister on 15 June 2009 to the House of Commons, (Official Report, col. 21).

The Prime Minister announced that the membership of the Committee of Inquiry consists of highly respected, entirely non-partisan experts in their fields. The committee members were consulted before agreeing to join the inquiry. There was also consultation with the Opposition on the membership. As a Privy Counsellor Committee of Inquiry, it will be a completely independent inquiry.